Speaking after the inauguration function here, Mr Deshmukh said the Kingfisher air service will prove beneficial for the development of the city and the region.

Lauding the importance of a pilot training centre, he appealed to the youths to opt for this vocation.

Remembering late Union Home Minister S B Chavan, who represented the city, he said Mr Chavan had a vision of development for the region.

Among the dignitaries present on the occasion were Union Minister for Civil Aviation Praful Patel, PWD Minister Chhagan Bhujbal, Union Minister of State for Rural Development Suryakanta Patil and Minister of Industry, Cultural affairs and Protocol Ashok Chavan.

Giving credit for starting the private air service to Mr Deshmukh and Mr Chavan, Mr Patel said Maharashtra is the first state in the country to have the largest number of districts connected by air service.

A cargo hub will be started at Nagpur, he informed.

Underlining the need for air service, he said the passenger and cargo services are necessary for the development of any region. The agricultural produce, including fruits and flowers, can also be taken to the distant markets by using this service.

Mr Bhujbal, in his speech, informed that the work on construction of four-lane roads, to be built at an estimated cost of Rs 2,000 crore, is underway in the state.

He assured that the some works will be completed before October 15 ahead of the tricentennary celebration of Guru-ta-Gaddi.

Mr Chavan praised Mr Patel for revolutionising the air service in the nation. He said this air service will also help remove the backlog of development of the region.

He appealed to Mr Patel to launch a direct flight for Haj pilgrims from the city.